Chapter 20

CHAPTER XX.
DEATH OF RINALDO. THE distress in Rinaldo's castle for want of food grew more severe
every day, under the pressure of the siege. The garrison were forced
to kill their horses, both to save the provision they would consume,
and to make food of their flesh. At last, all the horses were killed
except Bayard, and Rinaldo said to his brothers, "Bayard must die, for
we have nothing else to eat." So they went to the stable and brought
out Bayard to kill him. But Alardo said, "Brother, let Bayard live a
little longer; who knows what God may do for us."
Bayard heard these words, and understood them as if he was a man,
and fell on his knees, as if he would beg for mercy. When Rinaldo
saw the distress of his horse his heart failed him, and he let him
live.
Just at this time, Aya, Rinaldo's mother, who was the sister of
the Emperor, came to the camp, attended by knights and ladies, to
intercede for her sons. She fell on her knees before the king, and
besought him that he would pardon Rinaldo and his brothers; and all
the peers and knights took her side, and entreated the king to grant
her prayer. Then said the king, "Dear sister, you act the part of a
good mother, and I respect your tender heart, and yield to your
entreaties. I will spare your sons their lives, if they submit
implicitly to my will."
When Charlot heard this, he approached the king and whispered in his
ear. And the king turned to his sister and said, "Charlot must have
Bayard, because I have given the horse to him. Now go, my sister,
and tell Rinaldo what I have said."
When the Lady Aya heard these words, she was delighted, thanked
God in her heart, and said, "Worthy king and brother, I will do as you
bid me." So she went into the castle, where her sons received her most
joyfully and affectionately, and she told them the king's offer.
Then Alardo said, "Brother, I would rather have the king's enmity than
give Bayard to Charlot, for I believe he will kill him." Likewise said
all the brothers. When Rinaldo heard them, he said, "Dear brothers, if
we may win our forgiveness by giving up the horse, so be it. Let us
make our peace, for we cannot stand against the king's power." Then he
went to his mother, and told her they would give the horse to Charlot,
and more, too, if the king would pardon them, and forgive all that
they had done against his crown and dignity. The lady returned to
Charles and told him the answer of her sons.
When the peace was thus made between the king and the sons of Aymon,
the brothers came forth from the castle, bringing Bayard with them,
and, falling at the king's feet, begged his forgiveness. The king bade
them rise, and received them into favor in the sight of all his
noble knights and counsellors, to